31st March 2004
Hello everyone,
I just started taking Ortho-Cyclen (not Tri) 3 days ago for my acne and oily skin (first time on BCPs). However, I do believe my acne problems are a symptom of something deeper (hormonal imbalances, allergies e.t.c). My GP referred me to a psychiatrist for my recent feelings of fatigue, depression, lack of concentration e.t.c(she believes all my mental symptoms are brought on by myself). I was also prescibed BCPs for irregular light menses, oily skin, acne, and hair loss. All these symptoms just started happening 6 months ago (before 6 months I had perfect skin,and I mean perfect where people would compliment me all the time, no hairloss and was basically always happy).
Anyhow, I am mad at my doctor for putting me on BCPs; yes, she did run a bunch of tests (not thorough) and told me all my tests came back normal. I have posted some of my thyroid test results on the thyroid boards and they are clearly NOT normal. I also have very high DHEAs and borderline high testosterone levels (which are hormones that cause acne and oily skin). I questioned my doctor about these results and she got defensive and told me I was vain.
So, today I went to a Holistic clinic in hopes of getting better treatment. My assessment took 4 hours. They took a urine and saliva sample for hormones and mineral testing, blood testing to measure hormone levels, organ function, immunity, hematology, glucose metabolism, metabolic rate, and risks for cardiovascular illness; 2 hour fasting glucose intolerance test, food allergy test, hair analysis, and a very very long questionaire that I had to fill out.
My test results will not be back until the end of April (1 month). I gave the holistic MD a copy of all my recent lab results and he immediately suggested that I have a problem with my hormones (particularly thyroid and my adrenal glands) and possibily allergies (fluctuating white blood cells). I told him I was taking BCPs for the skin and hair problems and he told me to stop IMMEDIATELY! his exact words was 'those are synthetic hormones and have many side effects and are very bad for you!' He than told me that once I treat the cause of all my symptoms I will no longer have these symptoms including skin problems..
The interesting thing that I want to share with all of you is that he mentioned bio-natural hormones. I have never heard about bio-natural hormones before and was wondering if anyone has heard of them. These are hormones that are suppose to be exactly the same as the ones found in the human body so they have NO dangerous side effects (BCPs hormones differ in structure). He said I can treat many of my hormonal problems by using these hormones (natural progestorone and estrogen). He did not want to prescribe me anything until he gets my lab results from all the test I did today. When he does get the results he will try to treat what is wrong with my endocrine system via natural and conventional medicine and will attempt to balance out my female/male hormones with natural hormones tailored to my lab results....
For women who are taking BCPs JUST for skin problems have you ever had your hormones levels checked? I'm very interested in this because although my GP did check some of the hormones she didn't do the whole panel (no estrogen, free testosterone e.t.c)... This holistic doctor is checking for everything!!!
For those who are reading this, do you think I am doing the right thing by seeing this holistic doctor (my gut instinct is 'yes' but he is not covered by insurance and is very expensive)...I am going to stop taking my BCPs tonight and would just like to know if you think I am doing the 'Right' thing. My GP told be specifically to take them and I know she will be mad when she finds out I have stopped taking them...
I just started taking Ortho-Cyclen (not Tri) 3 days ago for my acne and oily skin (first time on BCPs). However, I do believe my acne problems are a symptom of something deeper (hormonal imbalances, allergies e.t.c). My GP referred me to a psychiatrist for my recent feelings of fatigue, depression, lack of concentration e.t.c(she believes all my mental symptoms are brought on by myself). I was also prescibed BCPs for irregular light menses, oily skin, acne, and hair loss. All these symptoms just started happening 6 months ago (before 6 months I had perfect skin,and I mean perfect where people would compliment me all the time, no hairloss and was basically always happy).
Anyhow, I am mad at my doctor for putting me on BCPs; yes, she did run a bunch of tests (not thorough) and told me all my tests came back normal. I have posted some of my thyroid test results on the thyroid boards and they are clearly NOT normal. I also have very high DHEAs and borderline high testosterone levels (which are hormones that cause acne and oily skin). I questioned my doctor about these results and she got defensive and told me I was vain.
So, today I went to a Holistic clinic in hopes of getting better treatment. My assessment took 4 hours. They took a urine and saliva sample for hormones and mineral testing, blood testing to measure hormone levels, organ function, immunity, hematology, glucose metabolism, metabolic rate, and risks for cardiovascular illness; 2 hour fasting glucose intolerance test, food allergy test, hair analysis, and a very very long questionaire that I had to fill out.
My test results will not be back until the end of April (1 month). I gave the holistic MD a copy of all my recent lab results and he immediately suggested that I have a problem with my hormones (particularly thyroid and my adrenal glands) and possibily allergies (fluctuating white blood cells). I told him I was taking BCPs for the skin and hair problems and he told me to stop IMMEDIATELY! his exact words was 'those are synthetic hormones and have many side effects and are very bad for you!' He than told me that once I treat the cause of all my symptoms I will no longer have these symptoms including skin problems..
The interesting thing that I want to share with all of you is that he mentioned bio-natural hormones. I have never heard about bio-natural hormones before and was wondering if anyone has heard of them. These are hormones that are suppose to be exactly the same as the ones found in the human body so they have NO dangerous side effects (BCPs hormones differ in structure). He said I can treat many of my hormonal problems by using these hormones (natural progestorone and estrogen). He did not want to prescribe me anything until he gets my lab results from all the test I did today. When he does get the results he will try to treat what is wrong with my endocrine system via natural and conventional medicine and will attempt to balance out my female/male hormones with natural hormones tailored to my lab results....
For women who are taking BCPs JUST for skin problems have you ever had your hormones levels checked? I'm very interested in this because although my GP did check some of the hormones she didn't do the whole panel (no estrogen, free testosterone e.t.c)... This holistic doctor is checking for everything!!!
For those who are reading this, do you think I am doing the right thing by seeing this holistic doctor (my gut instinct is 'yes' but he is not covered by insurance and is very expensive)...I am going to stop taking my BCPs tonight and would just like to know if you think I am doing the 'Right' thing. My GP told be specifically to take them and I know she will be mad when she finds out I have stopped taking them...